A total of 50 dates buyers from Asia, Europe and Africa will take part in an upcoming date palm festival in Abu Dhabi.

National pavilions from UAE, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Jordan will also join forces to stage a display of date varieties at the Emirates International Date Palm Festival, set to take place from November 21 to 26 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The UAE spearheads the global trade of dates and is the connecting hub of the Middle East, said Mohammed Jalal Al Reyaysa, chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee for the Festival and the official spokesperson for Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.

We are looking forward to welcoming date producers from around the world and are ready to fully utilize the tremendous potential of this agricultural product in both regional and international trade.

The festival aims at facilitating a business platform for the dates industry, through which dates manufacturers can further expand their presence in potential markets and also increase sales direct with the UAE consumer base, Al Reyaysa added.

An official study conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade indicated that the UAE accounted for 33 per cent of the world's exports of dates, coming first in exports of this agricultural product in 2009.

Iraq came in second at 22 per cent. Both countries combined where thus the owners of more than half of the global exports of dates.

Iran and Saudi Arabia ranked among the top three global dates producers in 2009.

Abdullah Saleh Al Funaikh, general manager of Al Onaizah Dates Factory from Saudi Arabia, said: The festival is a great opportunity to do business and network with both buyers and suppliers in the industry. We are participating in the festival for the fifth consecutive year and we have finalized many important deals through direct interactions with other factories during the event.

Top exhibitors participating at the festival also include Al Foah Company, Al Dahra Agriculture, Emirates Dates Factory, Al Ain Diary, Liwa Dates, Al Maghadi Dates and Al Madinah Dates.

Saeed Salem Mesarri Al Hamli, general manager of Al Foah Company, said: The companys participation comes in line with Abu Dhabi Governments strategy that focuses on enhancing the date palm sector in the country and making Al Foah a global ambassador for Emirati dates.

Last year, the amount of dates sold to individuals, buyers and companies during the festival exceeded Dh18.4 million ($5 million), a statement said.